| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1616108 | Journal of Alloys and Compounds | 2012 | 4 Pages |
Using p-type transparent conducting CuCrO2 as a host material, (Cu1−xFex)CrO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 6 at.%) and Cu(Cr1−yFey)O2 (0 ≤ y ≤ 6 at.%) nanocrystals were prepared by combining solid-state reaction and ball milling. The microstructure, morphology, optical and magnetic properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. It is found that all the samples have a single CuCrO2 delafossite structure. The variations in lattice constants support the Fe entrance into the Cu and Cr sublattices, respectively, in (Cu1−xFex)CrO2 and Cu(Cr1−yFey)O2. The gradual increase of optical bandgap with the Fe content and the low-temperature ferromagnetism are observed in two series of samples. The present work indicates that Fe-doped CuCrO2 is a dilute magnetic semiconductor and the Curie temperature can be expected to enhance by the optical bandgap modulation.
► The first study on optical bandgap modulation of CuCrO2 by Fe-doping. ► The first study on magnetism of CuCrO2 doped with Fe at the A- and B-sites. ► The optical bandgap is gradually increased with the Fe content. ► Low-temperature ferromagnetism is realized in both series of samples. ► High Curie temperature can be expected to obtain by optical bandgap modulation.
